reconfiguring Dixie Narco 501e

[ef0012]

Dixie Narco 501E, currently dispensing 20 oz bottles of soda, 1 gatorade and supposedly water, but we're not sure if it works. We would like to switch to: 4 slots for 12 oz soda cans; 1 or 2 slots for 12 oz gatorade (or another soda can spot); 2 slots for 16 oz energy drink can and 16 oz ice tea bottle; 2 slots for 16.9 oz water and newer flavored waters like Protein 2o that are coming on the market. What shims and/or other parts do we need? Is it fairly easy to change out ourselves, any directions on how to do so?

[AZVendor]

You need all columns to be set up for 12 oz cans to do all of those products except the weird water you mentioned since you didn't say it's size.  So you need a can shim in the narrow columns (has a 1/4" lip on it's bottom edge). The large column needs 8 - waffle shims, 4 on each side along with red and grey motor cams.  Then set the depth to leave 1/2" at the front of the column when the products are pushed to the rear adjusting plate.  Set the motor cams to show 2 notches on the narrow cols for bottles and 3 notches for cans, the wide column shows 6 notches for cans.

[ef0012]

Thanks for your timely reply, AZVendor, and very helpful information.  We have one other machine we would like to convert -- how about for a Dixie Narco 276E? Also, any suggestions on which types of readily-available water bottles dispense best in both of these types of machines? (I know you need sturdier ones.) Previous owner said he had issues with bottles getting jammed and from what I can tell, he never tried to troubleshoot or find an alternative. Had basic Aquafina in there. Thanks.

[orsd]

For the 276E its the same as the 501E, (the 276 is a 501 with 1 less narrow and no wide columns.)

[ef0012]

Thanks for the  breakdown and explanation, orsd.